New Canberra Liberals Leader Mark Parton and his deputy, Deborah Morris, have committed to leading a united party into the 2028 election. They aim to focus on the community rather than internal conflicts within the party.
“I’m absolutely sick to death of having conversations about internal party matters because I can tell you that people out in the suburbs are not having those conversations,”
Parton emphasized the need to align the party members and move forward together.
“I am here, along with Deborah Morris, to get nine parliamentary members on the same train heading forward so that we can take on the government in 2028.”
He acknowledged past divisions within the Canberra Liberals but noted that former leaders Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson helped pave the way for a unified leadership by resigning.
Parton described the division not as ideological but as a divide between those who "hang on to" internal conflicts and those who choose to move forward.
“I think in recent months my party’s been divided by a line that separates people who hang on to shit and people who leave shit behind, and it is time to leave shit behind.”
Mark Parton, known as the party’s strongest media performer, has long been seen as a potential leader but previously lacked sufficient support or chose not to pursue the role.
Summary: Mark Parton pledges to unite the Canberra Liberals by moving beyond internal conflicts to focus on winning the 2028 election.